When your air conditioner isn’t doing its job, things heat up fast, inside your home and in your head. Before you assume the worst, there are a few things you can check for yourself. At PJ's Plumbing & Heating in Belgrade, MT, we help homeowners get to the bottom of cooling issues quickly and safely.
A careful look now might save you from a sweaty afternoon or an emergency HVAC repair call later.
Start With the Thermostat
If your AC isn’t kicking on or your house feels warmer than it should, the first place to look is the thermostat. Make sure it’s set to “cool” and not just “fan.” Sometimes that setting gets bumped by accident. Then check the temperature setting. If it’s only one or two degrees below the room temperature, the system might not start up right away. Try setting it a little lower to see if anything changes.
Also, look at the display. If the screen is blank or flashing, the batteries could be dead, or the unit might have lost power. Replace the batteries or flip the breaker off and back on. If your thermostat is older, the sensor might not be working correctly. That can make it think your home is cooler than it is, and your AC won’t turn on when you need it. A quick test with a room thermometer can show you if the readings are way off.
Check the Filter and Vents
If your air conditioner turns on but the airflow feels weak or uneven, your filter might be the problem. Filters catch dust and other stuff floating in the air, but when they get full, they block the air from moving through your system. That can make the whole unit work harder than it needs to. You might hear the system running but barely feel any air from the vents. In some rooms, it might feel like nothing’s coming out at all. Take the filter out and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it.
Listen to How It Starts and Runs
When the air conditioner kicks on, it usually makes a soft click or humming noise. After that, you’ll hear the fan and feel cool air coming through the vents. If you don’t hear that second part, the problem could be with the blower motor or a wiring issue. Maybe the outside unit is running but the indoor part isn’t doing its job. On the flip side, if everything sounds louder than usual, like grinding or banging, something could be loose or worn-out.
High-pitched squeals can mean a belt or bearing is having trouble. Any new or strange sound is a clue. It helps to pay attention to when the noise happens—at startup, during the cycle, or when it shuts off. If you’ve had the system for a while, you’ll know what sounds are normal and which ones feel wrong.
Watch for Ice or Water Where It Shouldn’t Be
If your AC isn’t cooling like it used to, take a look at the lines and vents near the inside unit. Sometimes you’ll spot ice building up around the copper pipes or on the evaporator coil. That’s usually a sign of low refrigerant, blocked airflow, or dirty coils. When the system freezes up, it can’t move air properly, and it might even shut itself off to protect the parts. You might also notice water dripping from places it shouldn’t.
Most AC units pull moisture from the air as they cool, and that water should drain out through a pipe. If that drain clogs or overflows, the water might pool around the indoor unit or spill into the closet or attic space. That kind of leak can lead to bigger problems, like ceiling stains or mold. If you see puddles or ice, turn the system off and let it thaw before trying to run it again.
Pay Attention to How the Air Feels
Your air conditioner should cool and dry the air at the same time. If your house feels sticky or damp even when the AC is on, it might not be removing humidity like it should. That can happen when the system runs in short cycles. Short cycling means the AC turns on and off too quickly to finish the full job.
It might cool the air just a little and then shut off before it has time to pull out the moisture. This can make the house feel muggy and uncomfortable, even if the temperature is technically right. Short cycling can also wear down parts faster. Sometimes this happens because of a dirty coil, poor airflow, or a thermostat that’s placed in a bad location.
Troubleshoot Your AC With Help
Troubleshooting your AC doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. A few simple checks can help you understand what’s going on behind the vents and point you in the right direction. We also offer HVAC maintenance, ductless mini-split installations and indoor air quality services.
If your system still isn’t acting right, schedule a visit with PJ's Plumbing & Heating, and we’ll help you get your cool back.
